Assignment Task
Unit Learning Outcomes
You will demonstrate the following Unit Learning Outcomes on the successful completion of this task:
ULO1: Examine the current and future directions of healthcare within the context of health technologies and global health issues.
Task Description
Emerging health technology has the capacity to radically and positively change local and global health outcomes. NSW Health and the Federal Health Minister are meeting to discuss the use of technology to reduce the burden of disease of Australians and the health system. Understanding the importance of knowledge from the practitioner perspective, you have been selected to provide a discussion piece about an emerging health technology that is being used in your chosen area of interest.
From within the discipline of health that you are enrolled in, select a condition that is having a significant impact on the health system for example diabetes, mental illness, cardiovascular disease, cancer, etc. Research how a particular type of emerging health technology is impacting health outcomes in this space, for example machine learning, mobile applications (mHealth), wearables, biosensory technology or robotics. Your discussion should highlight how the technology can be used to support care delivery, the safety considerations for this technology, and the barriers and facilitators to its application. Do not select telehealth (excellent resource however for this assessment, look further). Be creative in your discovery, but use published research from the library database to support your discussion.
Rationale
Technological advancements have assisted in resolving numerous problems related to health and illness. We observed how swiftly pre-existing technologies were implemented to mitigate the spread and impact of COVID-19. This assessment is to explore further applications of technology in health care.
This assessment is the culmination of the learning you have completed within the unit and allows you the freedom to explore the application of health technology to address a complex issue. Within this assessment, you will also need to draw on your knowledge and understanding of the social determinants of health and Australia’s health profile.
Task Structure
1. Introduction: Introduce the reader to the chosen health disease and its impacts on the Australian health system. Make it clear why this topic is important! Briefly introduce your enrolled health discipline, the chosen health technology and how it relates to the profession. For example, does it help with clinical decision support, risk detection, diagnosis, treatment recommendations, accessibility, or monitoring, etc. Reference your writing using valid and reliable research publications from the SCU library
2. Using a modified health technology assessment format (see points below), you are to address the application of your chosen technology in relation to its:
- Clinical effectiveness: What has your research discovered about its effectiveness in your chosen topic?
- Safety: Has it been widely tested yet, what are the ethical considerations of using this type of technology in your chosen area?
- Barriers or facilitators associated with the application of this health technology: Are there considerations for the patient or the workforce, for example, digital literacy, practicalities of use, and geographical location?
3. Conclusion: Write an overall conclusion for this discussion by succinctly summarising how this emerging technology offers potential to the problem you have identified and the considerations the panel needs to consider if they choose to pursue its implementation into the workplace.